If you’re tight on kitchen space but need extra room for frozen food, a slim upright freezer can be a very neat solution. The Beko FNE4545W 146cm Small Frost Free Upright Freezer is a popular option in UK homes, sitting in that sweet spot between compact footprint and useful capacity. In this guide we’ll look at what to think about when choosing a small frost free upright freezer, using the Beko as a real-world example and comparing it with a few close alternatives to help you decide what suits your home best.
Why choose a small frost free upright freezer?
Small upright freezers are ideal when you don’t have room for an American-style fridge freezer or a large chest freezer, but you still want a dedicated space for frozen food. At around 146cm tall, models like the Beko FNE4545W give you vertical storage without stealing too much floorspace.
Going frost free is another big draw. Traditional static freezers gradually build up ice on the walls and around drawers, which eats into usable space and eventually demands a messy defrost. Frost free systems circulate cold air to minimise ice build-up, so the interior stays more usable and you won’t dread defrost day – because there isn’t one.
If you want to see how this looks in day-to-day use, you can read our full review of the Beko FNE4545W 146cm Small Frost Free Upright Freezer for hands-on impressions and detailed spec breakdown.
Working out the right size and layout for your home
Before you get attached to any particular model, start with a tape measure. A 146cm small upright freezer will usually suit:
- Flats and smaller kitchens where a full-height tall freezer would dominate
- Households that already have a fridge freezer but need more dedicated frozen space
- Utility rooms or pantries where a slim, tall appliance can slot between cupboards
The Beko FNE4545W is designed as a freestanding, slimline upright, which makes it flexible for corners and recesses. Think about how far the door needs to swing, whether it can be reversed to hinge on the other side, and how easily you’ll be able to pull out drawers without hitting a wall or worktop.
Interior layout matters just as much as external dimensions. Upright freezers in this size range typically use multiple clear-fronted drawers and occasionally an open shelf or flap at the top. The advantage of this style is easy organisation: you can dedicate drawers to meat, veg, batch-cooked meals or lunchbox items so you aren’t rooting around every time you cook.
Energy rating and running costs: what to look for
Most modern upright freezers now carry a rating on the revised A–G scale, and you’ll often see models in this class marked around E or D. The Beko FNE4545W is E rated, as are several of the close alternatives, which is fairly typical for a mid-sized frost free freezer today.
In practical terms, here’s what to consider:
- Rating vs size: A slightly larger but better-rated freezer might cost a similar amount to run as a smaller, less efficient one.
- Where you put it: If it’s squeezed next to an oven or in direct sunlight, any freezer will have to work harder.
- How you use it: Constant door-opening and packing it too tightly will nudge the energy bill up, regardless of the rating on the label.
If you’re particularly focused on running costs, it’s worth looking at similar-sized freezers with a higher efficiency rating. For example, under-counter models like the Liebherr Fd1404 Under Counter Freezer can sometimes edge ahead on energy performance thanks to their smaller volume and different design, though you give up height and storage.
Comparing styles and finishes: white, silver or black?
Once you know the size and energy rating you’re happy with, the next choice is usually finish. The Beko FNE4545W comes in a classic white, which tends to suit utility rooms, rental properties and traditional kitchens. White freezers are often a touch cheaper than coloured or metallic ones, and they blend in well with standard white appliances.
If you like the specs and layout of the Beko but prefer a more modern metallic look, the Beko FNE4545S 146cm Small Frost Free Upright Freezer in Silver is effectively the same style of appliance in a different finish. That makes it a strong option if you want to match stainless steel-look ovens or a contemporary grey kitchen, without changing the overall footprint.
For a bolder statement, you might prefer black or darker finishes. The Russell Hobbs RH146FFFZ541E1B 146cm Small Frost Free Upright Freezer in Black offers a similar height and frost free design in a sleek black casing, which can look particularly smart in modern open-plan spaces or utility rooms where you want appliances to visually recede.
If you like the idea of metallic but don’t want something too dark, the Russell Hobbs RH146FFFZ541E1S 146cm Small Frost Free Upright Freezer in Silver sits neatly between classic white and deep black, pairing well with chrome handles and grey cabinetry.
Frost free in everyday use: what to expect
Frost free technology is a major selling point across all of these appliances. From a user’s perspective, it changes the way you look after your freezer:
- You don’t have to plan messy manual defrosting sessions.
- Drawers remain easier to open and close as they don’t weld themselves in with ice.
- Food labels and boxes are easier to read because they’re not buried under frost.
It’s still possible to get a little frost on packaging or drawer fronts, especially if the door is opened frequently or left slightly ajar, but you won’t see thick sheets of ice clinging to the walls in the same way as older static models.
This convenience runs right through daily life. If you batch cook, like to keep a good stock of frozen veg and snacks, or simply hate the idea of emptying a freezer into cool bags every year, a frost free upright such as the Beko FNE4545W makes a big difference. To see exactly how it behaves in a busy home, you can read our full review of the Beko FNE4545W with long-term usage notes.
Thinking about under-counter vs tall slimline
Not everyone has the headroom for a 146cm appliance. If your freezer needs to tuck under a worktop, an under-counter model could be the better fit. The Liebherr Fd1404 Under Counter Freezer shows how a smaller, more compact freezer can still serve a couple or small household effectively when space is tight.
Here’s how under-counter and small uprights typically compare:
- Under-counter: Great for small flats, galley kitchens and integrated layouts. Capacity is lower, but they keep a clean, continuous worktop line.
- 146cm upright: Better for larger families or people who bulk buy and batch cook. They take more vertical space but a similar footprint to a dishwasher.
If you already have a fridge freezer and just need somewhere to stash garden produce, bargain meat or homemade meals, an upright like the Beko or Russell Hobbs models can sit in a utility room or garage (subject to the manufacturer’s guidance on operating temperatures) and act as your overflow store.
Brand considerations: matching your kitchen and your habits
Brand loyalty often comes down to past experience and what you already have in the kitchen. If your current appliances are from the same manufacturer as the Beko FNE4545W, you might be drawn to stick with that for familiarity and a consistent look, making the white FNE4545W or silver FNE4545S natural candidates.
On the other hand, if you already own smaller appliances from another maker, you may feel more comfortable with a matching upright freezer. The Russell Hobbs RH146FFFZ541E1B and RH146FFFZ541E1S freezers echo the brand’s styling across kettles, toasters and microwaves, which can help unify a kitchen if that matters to you.
Whichever brand you lean towards, it’s worth comparing:
- Handle design and door action – is it easy to open when the freezer is full?
- Drawer quality – do the runners feel sturdy, and are the fronts clear enough to see what’s inside?
- Noise levels – important if the freezer is in an open-plan kitchen or near sleeping areas.
Placement, ventilation and noise
Any upright freezer needs decent airflow around it. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for clearance at the back, sides and top and plan your space so warm air can escape. Pushing a freezer right up against the wall or boxing it tightly into an alcove can make it work harder and run warmer, which may shorten its life and increase running costs.
Noise is another factor. Frost free uprights use fans to circulate cold air, so Expect a gentle background hum and occasional whoosh as the system cycles. In most busy households this quickly disappears into the background, but if you have a very quiet, open-plan space, it’s worth checking user feedback on noise for models you’re considering.
How to organise a small upright freezer
Well-organised drawers make a compact freezer feel much bigger in everyday use. With a 146cm upright, you typically get enough drawers to dedicate them to different food types:
- Top drawer for quick-grab items like ice cream, ice cubes and frozen herbs
- Middle drawers for everyday veg, chips and fish
- Lower drawers for bulkier meat joints or batch-cooked meals
Labelled containers or freezer bags can stop smaller items drifting to the back. Try grouping food by use – such as “weeknight dinners”, “packed lunch bits” or “baking supplies” – rather than strict food groups. That way, you can pull out what you need quickly without rummaging through the whole freezer.
Care, cleaning and keeping it fresh
Frost free doesn’t mean maintenance-free, but it does make life easier. A quick wipe with a mild, food-safe cleaner every few months is usually enough to keep the interior fresh. Remove one drawer at a time, so you’re not leaving the door open for long stretches and warming the appliance.
To keep odours at bay:
- Make sure food is properly wrapped and sealed before freezing.
- Rotate older items to the front so they get used first.
- Consider a small open tub of bicarbonate of soda on a shelf to absorb smells.
If you ever notice more ice than usual, it’s worth checking the door seal for damage or trapped crumbs and making sure nothing inside is preventing the door from closing fully.
Choosing between the main contenders
To summarise the most obvious choices for a slim, frost free freezer in this size and price range:
- Beko FNE4545W 146cm Small Frost Free Upright Freezer – White: A classic white, slimline upright that suits most kitchens and utility rooms. Take a look at our in-depth impressions in the full Beko FNE4545W review.
- Beko FNE4545S 146cm Small Frost Free Upright Freezer – Silver: Similar layout and concept, but in a modern silver finish that pairs nicely with stainless steel-look appliances. You can see how it compares in practice in our full review of the Beko FNE4545S.
- Russell Hobbs RH146FFFZ541E1B 146cm Small Frost Free Upright Freezer – Black: A sleek black option that makes more of a design statement and works well in contemporary interiors; read more about its features in the RH146FFFZ541E1B review.
- Russell Hobbs RH146FFFZ541E1S 146cm Small Frost Free Upright Freezer – Silver: A silver alternative that balances modern looks with a slightly softer, lighter presence than full black. For a closer look, see our detailed review of the RH146FFFZ541E1S.
- Liebherr Fd1404 Under Counter Freezer – White: A compact under-counter freezer for smaller spaces or as a secondary appliance, offering a different form factor if a tall slimline won’t fit; our Liebherr Fd1404 review covers how it performs in real kitchens.
Final thoughts
Choosing a small frost free upright freezer is mostly about balancing space, style and how much frozen food you realistically keep on hand. A 146cm slimline model like the Beko FNE4545W offers a very practical middle ground for many UK homes, especially when you want the convenience of frost free technology without a huge footprint.
Once you’ve narrowed down the finish and size that works in your kitchen or utility room, it’s worth digging into the real-world details: interior layout, drawer feel, noise levels and energy use. The linked in-depth reviews – including our full review of the Beko FNE4545W and the alternative models – will help you see how each freezer behaves beyond the spec sheet, so you can buy with confidence and enjoy a more organised, hassle-free frozen food stash for years to come.